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Welcome to South Thames College

South Thames College is a large further education establishment in south-west London, with campuses in Wandsworth and Merton. Today over 21,000 students are enrolled at the College, many of whom are aged 16-18. Our courses are skills-based and designed to
help you gain professional experience and get the career you want.

About us

We have a long tradition of providing top-quality vocational courses, going right back to when the College first opened in 1895. Today we offer a wide selection of courses including music and performing arts, hospitality and catering, hair and beauty, and
health and social care, to name just a few.

We want to help you reach your goals in life and everything we do is designed to support you as you study. Our facilities are just what you’d expect to find in top industry places, from specialist kitchens to a newly-opened synth lab, and our teachers have
the industry experience to back up everything you’ll learn in the classroom, including arranging for guest speakers to give you up-to-date information. Plus we have lots of opportunities for you to build on your experience, from industry contacts to help you
get work placements to a range of university-level courses that you can progress on to when you finish your course. We also take part in several prestigious competitions every year, including WorldSkills UK, which gives you the chance to show off your talents
on a national stage.

Ofsted has rated us a “good” college for the last two years in a row, as well as rating us “outstanding” for our safeguarding and care scheme, so whatever you want to do in life, you’ll be in safe hands in our inclusive and vibrant learning environment.

Facilities available

Our practical courses are all taught using modern, industry-standard tools and equipment in purpose-built workshops and classrooms, making your learning experience as close as possible to real working environments. Both campuses benefit from:

Additional support

We want you to reach your full potential, and that means we can provide extra support when you need it. From careers advice to counselling, we’re here to help.

Tutorial support

You’ll be assigned to a personal tutor who will act as your guide during your studies. You’ll have weekly meetings where you can discuss your progress, as well as any other issues you might be having.

Education and careers advice

Whether you want help applying for university or you’re just unsure what level of course you should be taking, our dedicated teams of independent advisers will set you on the right track. Get help with choosing the right course, filling out your UCAS form,
or preparing for interviews.

English and maths support

If you’re concerned about your literacy or numeracy, we have plenty of options to help boost your skills. Speak to one of our education advisers for more information and to book an assessment.

Student enrichment

Our enrichment team is made up of trained youth workers and offers informal advice and guidance so you feel fully supported during your studies. You can also find out about other activities at the College and make new friends through our Enrichment Centre.

Counselling service

If you’re worried about a problem that you don’t want to discuss with your personal tutor, you can speak to one of our qualified counsellors in private. This confidential, non-judgemental service can offer help if you suffer from mental health problems such
as depression or anxiety, or if you’re having family or relationship problems, including bereavement, abuse, or questions about sexuality.

Learner success

We’ve been delighted to see our students succeed in all industries. Some noteworthy graduates include:

John Boyega – most recently seen playing Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, John studied Performing Arts with us and graduated in 2011. He won his first film role, as Moses in
Attack the Block, while still enrolled at the College.

Nathaniel “Tonez” Fuller – started as a Music Tech student until one of his teachers spotted his drumming ability and encouraged him to take Music Performance. Since graduating in 2010 he’s played at festivals worldwide for artists like
Jessie J, Tinie Tempah and Wretch 32.

Fiona Keenaghan – Fiona came to us as a Civil Engineering apprentice and got a placement with
Thames Tideway Tunnel, one of London’s largest infrastructure projects. In 2014 she was named STEMnet’s
Inspirational Apprentice of the Year in honour of her work with local schools to encourage more interest in STEM fields, and won a trip to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

For more student success stories, visit the My Story page on our website, or check out our
News section for more on our most recent activities.

How to apply

If you want to apply for courses, you will need to contact South Thames College directly.